Plumstead Neighbourhood Watch’s Car Rally tested residents’ general knowledge of their 260-year-old community and challenged them to dance battles for a fun-filled Sunday morning.
Participants met at St Pius Church parking lot, and after signing up, they were given a worksheet and the games began.
The rally ran much like a localised Amazing Race, and along the way, participants were asked to follow the instructions, take notes of landmarks and to complete silly tasks, such as performing the Chicken Dance and the Jerusalema.
Planning committee member Debbie Barrett said that it was a lot of fun to put together but the aim was for residents to learn more about Plumstead.
“We wanted people to know their neighbourhood and for the neighbourhood watch to be visible. We included all the local security companies and the law enforcement. It’s good to get involved with your community because, honestly, community is everything.”
Andrew and Samantha Pinn and their sons, Ethan and Zachary, recently moved Plumstead, and Mr Pinn said they had had a lot of fun learning about their new neighbourhood, including interesting trivia such as the fact that the large gabled house on Southfield Road had once been home to the famous Mrs Balls.
“It was so much fun. Lots of arguing, we are smiling now, but it was touch and go for a while,” said Mr Pinn.
Plumstead resident Conrad Smith said that despite belonging to the neighbourhood watch he had not known a lot about it.
“Today I learnt the watch, the local security companies and the police are now working together. That is a plus for residents in the community because we know exactly what is happening and we can report things much easier.
“These types of outings make it so much easier to get to know the neighbourhood. And at the end of it, these guys work tirelessly to protect us. It’s nice to put a face to a name.”
